Village’s Workers Unionize

Crew Signs Cards For Teamsters 693


By JIM KEVLIN : COOPERSTOWN

The Teamsters are coming – again, the Village Board has been advised.
Enough village employees have signed solicitation cards that Teamsters Local 693 has gained the right to represent them in negotiations, Village Attorney Martin Tillapaugh told the trustees Monday, April 25.
The village received notice from the state Public Employee Relations Board advising them of the development, and the trustees asked for verification of the signatures, which Tillapaugh said is a routine step at this point.
The letter from the PERB listed HEOs (heavy equipment operators), laborers and all members of the street, sewer, water, parks and Public Works departments, according to Village Clerk Teri Barown.
The letter was not specific, she said, but position-by-position specifics will be provided when the process goes to the next step.
Teamsters 693 already represents police officers, and the village recently negotiated its second contract with that unit.
The trustees appeared surprised at the development.
“We don’t really have contracts currently,” said Trustee Lynne Mebust.
“You will now,” Tillapaugh replied.
Until now, village crew members have represented themselves, negotiating informally with the village on pay and benefits.   Under the strictures of the state’s Taylor Law, it will be tightly structured, the attorney said.
Negotiations with the new Teamsters unit will begin “from a blank piece of paper,” said Mayor Joe Booan.
Maybe, said Tillapaugh, but the unit will seek to negotiate from the current levels of wages and benefits.
The generosity of the village contribution to employee health insurance has been discussed recently by trustees seeking to bring it in line with general standards.
Perhaps some money can be saved in that area, said Deputy Mayor Walter Franck.